Blue Origin initiated its 2021 program with a New Shepard rocket launch from West Texas, reaching an altitude exceeding 350,000 feet. This flight marked the inaugural journey for both the specific rocket booster and the passenger capsule utilized. The capsule incorporated a suite of updated safety, operational, and comfort features that Blue Origin evaluated throughout the flight. A full-scale test mannequin, nicknamed “Mannequin Skywalker,” was also onboard, gathering data during the flight and subsequent landing for Blue Origin’s analysis.

Judging from the live video feed and the company’s statements, the test proved highly successful, encompassing liftoff, booster detachment, a precise landing burn and touchdown, and a parachute-assisted return to Earth for the capsule. While no actual passengers were present, the mission carried 50,000 postcards submitted by students worldwide, which have now traveled beyond the Karman line and will be sent back to the students through Blue Origin’s charitable organization, “Club for the Future.”

The procedures employed during this mission will closely resemble those used when Blue Origin commences flights with fare-paying private astronauts to suborbital space. Although a definitive schedule remains unavailable, today’s launch included vital assessments of a crew notification system designed to deliver essential flight details to those onboard. Additionally, the capsule featured a new, cushioned interior wall covering for impact protection during the weightless phase, as well as for minimizing noise and vibration to enhance passenger comfort. A carbon dioxide removal system was also integrated into the capsule to maintain a breathable environment for occupants throughout the flight.